English mental health services 'best in Europe'

Mental health services in England are leading the way in Europe, a new report has claimed.

Figures published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on world mental health day today show that 13.8 per cent of the health budget in England is directed towards mental health - the highest level in Europe.

The statistics show that there are some 12.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people in England, greater than the European average of 8.9.

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Access to mental health nursing is also notably higher in England compared to the rest of Europe, with 51.9 nurses per 100,000 compared to the 18.7 nurse average witnessed on the continent.

Health secretary Alan Johnson said: 'I'm delighted that the WHO has recognised the transformation in mental health care in England over the last ten years. On world mental health day, this is a huge tribute to the thousands of committed front line staff who have built a service we now know ranks among the very best.

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'Our level of investment in mental health has risen to one of the highest in Europe and we now have over 700 teams providing innovative community based services as instead of treating people in hospital. The outdated and pernicious concept of 'the asylum' is over but our commitment to improving services further is undiminished.'

Matt Muijen, regional adviser for mental health, WHO Europe, added: 'The ambition and pace of change in England have been remarkable over the last ten years, and mental health services here are increasingly being seen across Europe as a model to follow.

'This does not mean that everything is perfect in England - but I am saying that the political will as demonstrated by the financial investment in order to produce a nationwide comprehensive and co-ordinated system of care is impressive, and is recognised internationally as such.'

The government claims that spending on adult mental services has increased by £1.7 billion since 2001/02 and since 1997 the number of consultant psychiatrists has risen by 60 per cent. There are also almost 80 per cent more clinical psychologists.

An update of the National Services Framework on Mental Health is expected to be published late next year.

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